U.S. patent number 9,399,200 [Application Number 14/516,040] was granted by the patent office on 2016-07-26 for foaming of liquids.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TURBULENT ENERGY, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is TURBULENT ENERGY, LLC. Invention is credited to David Livshits, Lester Teichner.
United States Patent |
9,399,200 |
Livshits , et al. |
July 26, 2016 |
Foaming of liquids
Abstract
A foaming mechanism configured to receive a plurality of streams
of gas and generate a foamed liquid, having an aerodynamic
component and an aerodynamic housing disposed around at least a
portion of the aerodynamic component. The aerodynamic housing
includes a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second
channels connected to the plurality of first channels at regular
intervals on a distributed plane. The distributed plane is about
perpendicular to the plurality of first channels, wherein the
plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels
are configured to transform an axial stream of the gaseous working
agent into a plurality of radial high-speed streams of the gaseous
working agent by channeling the gaseous working agent through the
plurality of first channels and into the plurality of second
channels on the distributed plane. A hydrodynamic conical reflector
and a hydrodynamic housing form a ring channel in an area between
the hydrodynamic conical reflector and the hydrodynamic housing. An
accumulation mechanism is configured to disperse the plurality of
radial highspeed streams of the gaseous working agent into the ring
channel and create turbulence to foam the liquid.
Inventors: |
Livshits; David (San Francisco,
CA), Teichner; Lester (Chicago, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TURBULENT ENERGY, LLC |
Buffalo |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TURBULENT ENERGY, LLC (Buffalo,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
40511795 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/516,040 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150130091 A1 |
May 14, 2015 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
12679884 |
|
8871090 |
|
|
|
PCT/US2008/075378 |
Sep 5, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
60974948 |
Sep 25, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
61012318 |
Dec 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
61012326 |
Dec 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B03D
1/24 (20130101); C02F 1/24 (20130101); B03D
1/1462 (20130101); B08B 3/102 (20130101); B03D
1/1412 (20130101); B01F 3/088 (20130101); B01F
5/0603 (20130101); B01F 15/00207 (20130101); B01F
3/04992 (20130101); B03D 1/1493 (20130101); B01F
3/0865 (20130101); B01F 2215/0052 (20130101); B03D
1/028 (20130101); B03D 1/242 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
3/04 (20060101); B01F 15/00 (20060101); B01F
3/08 (20060101); C02F 1/24 (20060101); B01F
5/06 (20060101); B08B 3/10 (20060101); B03D
1/14 (20060101); B03D 1/02 (20060101); B03D
1/24 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3723618 |
|
Dec 1988 |
|
DE |
|
4211031 |
|
Oct 1993 |
|
DE |
|
29612769 |
|
Dec 1996 |
|
DE |
|
10310442 |
|
Sep 2004 |
|
DE |
|
0044498 |
|
Jan 1982 |
|
EP |
|
2263649 |
|
Aug 1993 |
|
GB |
|
2334901 |
|
Sep 1999 |
|
GB |
|
56130213 |
|
Oct 1981 |
|
JP |
|
62079835 |
|
Apr 1987 |
|
JP |
|
5161899 |
|
Jun 1993 |
|
JP |
|
8131800 |
|
May 1996 |
|
JP |
|
2001000849 |
|
Jan 2001 |
|
JP |
|
2006326498 |
|
Dec 2006 |
|
JP |
|
20040040926 |
|
Sep 2004 |
|
KR |
|
2133829 |
|
Jul 1999 |
|
RU |
|
1662653 |
|
Jul 1991 |
|
SU |
|
88/06493 |
|
Sep 1988 |
|
WO |
|
93/07960 |
|
Apr 1993 |
|
WO |
|
00/12202 |
|
Mar 2000 |
|
WO |
|
2006/038810 |
|
Apr 2006 |
|
WO |
|
2006/117435 |
|
Nov 2006 |
|
WO |
|
2007/086897 |
|
Aug 2007 |
|
WO |
|
2007/115810 |
|
Oct 2007 |
|
WO |
|
2009/021148 |
|
Feb 2009 |
|
WO |
|
2009/035334 |
|
Mar 2009 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with PCT/US2008/075366, Nov. 2008. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with PCT/US2008/075374, Mar. 2009. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with PCT/US2009/043547, Jul. 2009. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with PCT/US2008/075378, Nov. 2008. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Lithgow; Thomas M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tempel; Smith Smith; Gregory
Scott
Parent Case Text
CLAIMS OF PRIORITY
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/974,948, filed Sep. 25, 2007, and entitled "A DEVICE FOR
FOAMING OF LIQUIDS"; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/012,318,
filed Dec. 7, 2007, and entitled "FOAMING OF LIQUIDS"; and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/012,326, filed Dec. 7, 2007, and
titled "FOAMING OF LIQUIDS", all of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foaming mechanism configured to receive a plurality of streams
of gas and generate a foamed liquid, the mechanism comprising: an
aerodynamic component; an aerodynamic housing disposed around at
least a portion of the aerodynamic component, the aerodynamic
housing including a plurality of first channels; and a plurality of
second channels connected to the plurality of first channels at
regular intervals on a distributed plane, the distributed plane
being about perpendicular to the plurality of first channels,
wherein the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second
channels are configured to transform an axial stream of the gaseous
working agent into a plurality of radial high-speed streams of the
gaseous working agent by channeling the gaseous working agent
through the plurality of first channels and into the plurality of
second channels on the distributed plane; and a hydrodynamic
conical reflector and a hydrodynamic housing forming a ring channel
in an area between the hydrodynamic conical reflector and the
hydrodynamic housing; and an accumulation mechanism configured to
disperse the plurality of radial highspeed streams of the gaseous
working agent into the ring channel and create turbulence to foam
the liquid.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the accumulation mechanism is
configured to create turbulence to foam the liquid utilizing at
least the physical principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
3. A mechanism configured to mix liquids, the mechanism comprising:
A first hydrodynamic component; a first hydrodynamic housing
disposed around at least a portion of the first hydrodynamic
component, the first hydrodynamic housing including a plurality of
first channels; and a plurality of second channels connected to the
plurality of first channels at regular intervals on a distributed
plane, the distributed plane being about perpendicular to the
plurality of first channels, wherein the plurality of first
channels and the plurality of second channels are configured to
transform an axial stream of a first liquid into a plurality of
radial high-speed streams of the first liquid by channeling the
first liquid working agent through the plurality of first channels
and into the plurality of second channels on the distributed plane;
and a hydrodynamic conical reflector and a second hydrodynamic
housing forming a ring channel in an area between the hydrodynamic
conical reflector and the second hydrodynamic housing; and an
accumulation mechanism configured to disperse the plurality of
radial highspeed streams of the first liquid into the ring channel
and create turbulence to mix with a second liquid surrounding the
mechanism.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein the accumulation mechanism is
configured to create turbulence the second liquid utilizing at
least the physical principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Methods and systems for processing of liquids using compressed
gases or compressed air are disclosed. In addition, methods and
systems for mixing of liquids are disclosed. In addition, methods
and systems for surface cleaning with active foam are
disclosed.
BACKGROUND
Devices for transformation of a gaseous working agent are known,
during which the speed of movement sharply increases and which in
turn creates a local low pressure zone and which then uses an
aerodynamic effect that thus arises; also, the process of creating
a vacuum in this manner is also described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,871,814.
SUMMARY
In some aspects, a device for foaming of a liquid includes a source
configured to provide an axial stream of a pressurized gaseous
working agent. The device for foaming of a liquid also includes a
mechanism having an aerodynamic component and an aerodynamic
housing. The aerodynamic housing is disposed around at least a
portion of the aerodynamic component and includes a plurality of
first channels. The mechanism also includes a plurality of second
channels connected to the plurality of first channels at regular
intervals on a distributed plane, the distributed plane being about
perpendicular to the plurality of first channels. The plurality of
first and second channels are configured to transform the axial
stream of the gaseous working agent into a plurality of radial
high-speed streams of the gaseous working agent by channeling the
gaseous working agent through the plurality of first and second
channels on the distributed plane. The device also includes a
hydrodynamic conical reflector and a hydrodynamic housing forming a
ring channel in an area between the hydrodynamic conical reflector
and the hydrodynamic housing. The device also includes an
accumulation mechanism configured to disperse the plurality of
radial high-speed streams of the gaseous working agent into the
ring channel and create turbulence to foam the liquid.
In some embodiments, the accumulation mechanism is configured to
create turbulence to foam the liquid utilizing at least the
physical principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
In some aspects, a device for foaming of a liquid includes an
aerodynamic mechanism including a system of channels for receiving
a pressurized gaseous working agent and transforming the gaseous
working agent into high-speed streams of the gaseous working agent.
The device also includes a hydrodynamic mechanism including a
hydrodynamic ring channel having a gradually increasing
cross-sectional area, the hydrodynamic mechanism being configured
to receive the streams of the gaseous working agent and generate a
foam liquid in the hydrodynamic ring channel in a zone of
connection of gaseous and liquid environments. The device also
includes an aerodynamic and hydrodynamic interface within the
device connecting the aerodynamic mechanism and the hydrodynamic
mechanism. The aerodynamic and hydrodynamic interface includes an
aerodynamic reflector, a hydrodynamic reflector, and a shaft
connecting the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic reflectors.
In some embodiments, the liquid is a water solution that includes
organic and inorganic components. In some embodiments, the
aerodynamic mechanism and the hydrodynamic mechanism are configured
to create turbulence to foam the liquid utilizing at least the
physical principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
In some aspects, a method of foam generation in a liquid includes
submitting a gaseous working agent that is compressed and under
pressure into an internal storage area of a device. The method also
includes transforming the stream of the gaseous working agent by
directing the stream of the gaseous working agent over a conical
gas ring located at a bottom of an internal cavity of the internal
storage area. The method also includes dividing the stream of the
gaseous working agent at a base of the conical gas ring into
regular intervals of high-speed micro streams of the gaseous
working agent. The method also includes changing a direction of
movement of the streams of the gaseous working agent. The method
also includes inputting the streams of the gaseous working agent
into a conical ring cavity of a housing of a foam generator that
includes a liquid to generate turbulent streams of a foamed liquid
from the liquid due to a pressure decrease in a zone of movement of
the streams of the gaseous working agent. The method also includes
forming an expanding section of turbulent streams of pseudo-boiling
liquid to generate bubbles of the gaseous working agent.
In some embodiments, forming the expanding section of turbulent
streams of pseudo-boiling liquid to generate bubbles of the gaseous
working agent includes forming turbulent streams of pseudo-boiling
liquid to generate bubbles having a finer division, and continually
passing through a homogeneous and stable foam until the foam is
saturated. In some embodiments, the foam generator is configured to
create turbulence to foam the liquid utilizing at least the
physical principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
In some aspects, a head for aerodynamic washing, rinsing, or
cleaning of surfaces, includes a mechanism for submission of a
stream of a gaseous working agent and a device. The device is
configured to receive the stream of the gaseous working agent,
transform a direction of movement of the gaseous working agent, and
provide high pressure streams of the gaseous working agent into a
liquid. The head also includes a conical reflector for formation of
a ring of turbulent streams of the liquid in an area within the
head, the area covering at least a portion of a surface being
processed to form a zone of washing, rinsing, or cleaning,
In some aspects, a method of aerodynamic washing, rinsing, or
cleaning of the surfaces, includes forming in a layer of a liquid
in which local washing, rinsing, or cleaning is carried out a
volumetric zone including aerodynamic and hydrodynamic washing,
rinsing, or cleaning components. The method also includes forming,
in the volumetric zone, conical turbulence in a stream having a
toroidal ring form.
In some aspects, a device for aerodynamic foaming and mixing of a
liquid, the device includes a first hydrodynamic system configured
to receive a first liquid component and transform a direction of
movement of the first liquid component to form high-speed streams
of the first liquid component. The device also includes a second
hydrodynamic system for input, processing, and dispersal,
consecutively transformed under the form and a direction of
movement of streams of the second liquid component directed to
specified system under influence of forces of gravitation. The
hydro-mechanical interface connects both systems, with conical
reflectors in the internal cavities of each of the specified
systems.
In some embodiments, the liquid is a water solution including
organic and inorganic liquid components. In some embodiments, the
first and second hydrodynamic mechanisms are configured to create
turbulence to foam the liquid utilizing at least the physical
principles of Bernoulli's theorem.
In some aspects, a module for aerodynamic flotation, the module
includes a ring working cavity configured to hold a liquid agent, a
device configured to provide a gaseous working agent, and a
plurality of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic mechanisms mounted on a
ring receiver in a bottom portion of the ring working cavity. The
aerodynamic and hydrodynamic mechanisms are configured to generate
a foam from the liquid agent and the gaseous working agent. The
module also includes an overflow mechanism configured to remove a
portion of the liquid agent from the ring working cavity when a
level of the liquid agent exceeds a level of the overflow
mechanism. The module also includes a concentric ring removal
cavity disposed inside the ring working cavity in an upper portion
of the ring working cavity, the concentric ring removal cavity
having an entry portion disposed above a level of the overflow
mechanism, the concentric ring removal cavity being configured to
collect and remove the foam and a contaminant included in the foam
from the ring working cavity.
In some embodiments, the plurality of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic
mechanisms includes aerodynamic and hydrodynamic foam generators
distributed in regular intervals around the top of the receiver. In
some embodiments, the module includes an input device configured to
input the liquid agent into the ring working cavity, the input
device being located in the ring working cavity at a level below a
top of the plurality of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic mechanisms. In
some embodiments, the overflow mechanism is located in the ring
working cavity at a level below a top of a cylindrical storage tank
that includes the ring working cavity and the concentric ring
cavity.
In some aspects, a method of creating aerodynamic foaming liquids,
due to changes in the form and speed of an aerodynamic stream of a
gaseous working agent includes generating a low pressure zone. The
method also includes introducing into the low pressure zone micro
streams of the compressed gaseous working agent distributed in
regular intervals and turbulent toroidal streams of liquid to
generate an aerodynamic and hydrodynamic pseudo-boiling region
where the streams of the gaseous working agent and the streams of
liquid coincide.
In some aspects, a device is configured for foaming the liquids
including several components, at least one of which has organic
origin. The device includes a plurality of devices for input and
transformation of a stream of a gaseous working agent under
pressure. The device also includes a foam generator including a
mechanism for the consecutive transformation of the stream of the
gaseous working agent in a conical ring at the bottom of a foam
generator housing, the foam generator housing including an
aerodynamic portion and a hydrodynamic portion connected to the
aerodynamic portion by a system of capillary apertures distributed
on a bottom of the foam generator housing. The device also includes
a mechanism configured to change a direction of movement of the
gaseous working agent streams and introduce the gaseous working
agent streams into a ring of turbulent streams of foam liquid. The
device also includes a mechanism configured to produce a saturation
ring of turbulent streams of foam liquid bubbles. The device also
includes a mechanism configured to form pseudo-boiling layers in a
volume of the turbulent liquid streams. The device also includes
one or more devices for removal of foam. The device also includes
an aerodynamic and hydrodynamic interface connecting aerodynamic
and hydrodynamic portions of the device for foaming of liquids, the
interface comprising a cylindrical shaft having a first conical
reflector on a first side of the shaft and a second conical
reflector on a second side of the shaft, where an apex of the first
conical reflector points in a substantially opposite direction from
an apex of the second conical reflector.
In some aspects, a device for generating a foamed liquid for
cleaning includes a cavity configured to hold a liquid. The device
also includes a foaming device in the cavity. The device also
includes an aerodynamic structure. The aerodynamic structure
includes a plurality of air channels configured to generate a
stream of compressed air and an output configured to output stream
of compressed air to a low pressure zone. The device also includes
a hydrodynamic structure. The hydrodynamic structure includes a
mechanism configured to produce foam liquid bubbles.
In some aspects, a device includes a holding cavity configured to
hold a liquid. The device also includes a first low pressure zone
configured to receive a plurality of streams of pressurized gas and
generate a foamed liquid from the liquid in the cavity. The device
also includes a removal cavity disposed inside the holding cavity
configured to collect and remove the foam and a contaminant
included in the foam from the holding cavity.
In some aspects, a method includes receiving a gaseous component.
The method also includes forming a foamed liquid by combining the
gaseous component with a liquid component in a low pressure zone.
The method also includes using the foamed liquid to clean a
surface.
In some aspects, a device includes an input configured to receive a
gaseous component. The device also includes a hydrodynamic
structure. The device also includes an aerodynamic structure
connected to the hydrodynamic structure. The aerodynamic structure
and the hydrodynamic structure are configured to receive the
gaseous component and to form a foamed liquid. The device also
includes an output configured to deliver the foamed liquid to a
surface.
In some aspects, the aerodynamic foam generator of produces a
rushing fluid that emerges at a high velocity and possesses high
kinetic energy. This creates a highly turbulent and powerful micro
bubbling action in the medium where the device is submerged. The
foam generator is integrated aerodynamically and hydro-dynamically
into its application environment, and therefore can be configured
to solve many industrial problems in a large variety of
applications. The aerodynamic foam generator is not dependent on
what compressed gas is utilized as the active working agent or what
type of liquid is utilized.
Fast-propelled fluids have many industrial applications in
processes that require cleaning, rinsing, and/or mixing. When used
for rinsing or cleaning, the foam generator can be used on a local
area or manipulated over a large area, depending on the
application. Since it can be light and maneuverable, it can be
manipulated manually or automatically to bring it to the local
operative surface or specific object. As an alternative, when the
operative surface is extensive, a larger assembly including many
aerodynamic foam generating heads can be assembled to operate
simultaneously over the broad surface of the object.
The modular construction of the foam generating device allows it to
be versatile and customizable to many industrial applications. Both
the heads and the tubing can be arranged in a variety of
configurations, for example, according to the size and shape of the
operative surface, and other physical parameters of the
application. The foam generator can also have many configurations
that make the foam generating device applicable in tight spaces
such as pipes and narrow tubes.
The vigorous and turbulent bubbling provided by the aerodynamic
foam generator can cause the level of the liquid medium to rise,
thereby requiring less of it to submerge the object.
When combined with other technologies, such as electrochemical
removal of heavy metals, the aerodynamic foam generator can be used
as an effective cleaner that delivers low pH water exhibiting
disinfecting and cleaning properties. Furthermore, this type of
highly turbulent acidic water has been shown to effectively remove
mineral deposits, oil and organics on submerged surfaces.
When used as a mixing apparatus, the aerodynamic foam generating
head's bubbling action behaves as a highly efficient stirring
agent. As such, it can be introduced to industrial wastewater
containing various contaminants. The bubbling action that is
produced "activates" the water, thereby facilitating sedimentation
and the filtration processes that are to follow. In addition,
activated water provides a better environment for chemical
reactions to take place. This can be used in many applications in
laboratories, pharmaceuticals industries, cosmetics industries, and
many other industries.
The turbulent power of the aerodynamic foam generator is not
scattered over the entire volume of an immersion tank, rather its
full thrust is exerted locally where it is needed most. As a
result, much less active fluid is utilized, and less energy and
time are consumed.
As the active power of the aerodynamic foam generator is focused,
one can control how much and where to apply it. It can be applied
more intensively on densely affected zones or evenly over the
entire operative surface. For example, in an automated system with
flow controls, the aerodynamic foam generator can be mounted onto a
robotic immersion arm and can be activated via a valve only while
the object is submerged.
The components, including the tubing and aerodynamic foam
generating heads, can be made of durable non-corrosive materials
such as polypropylene and PVC. These materials are resistant to
reactive chemicals and temperature extremes, enabling the device to
operate with many active fluids and in many applications.
As used herein, "conical" includes having the shape of a frustum of
a cone, sometimes referred to as "frusto-conical".
At the top of the tank, the kinetic energy imparted to the bubbles
causes the bubbles to accumulate as a foam on the top of the tank.
Impregnation or of foam saturation is a process of gathering all
generated bubbles in the top part of the tank in which the
generator of foam is established. As there is a delineation between
the gathered foam and the liquid, the foam can be therefore removed
or skimmed off the top of the liquid surface and the contaminants
thereby removed from the tank.
A homogeneous foam is a foam in which diameters of bubbles of gas
monotonously repeat. Also, the internal kinetic energy is the same
for more than half of the bubbles formed in the volume in which
foam is formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a water purification system.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerodynamic foam
generator.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the flow of gas and liquid in the
aerodynamic foam generator of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F are diagrams of an interface that
includes aerodynamic and hydrodynamic conical reflectors connected
by a shaft.
FIG. 5A is a view of an axial section of conical reflector
cavities.
FIG. 5B is a plan view of the conical reflector cavities.
FIG. 5C is a view of the foam generator housing with stream flow
brake pins;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of a microbubble.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a water purification system.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of an aerodynamic washing, rinsing or cleaning
head.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a liquid mixing system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram of the flow of liquids in the liquid mixing
system of FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15A, 15B, 16, 17, 18 and 19 show various
views of a foam generator device that can be used to remove
contaminants from a liquid.
FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F show various views of the
cross section of a foam generator that can be used in surface
cleaning with generated dynamic foam;
FIG. 21 is a diagram of compressed gas stream transformation in a
foam generator;
FIG. 22 is a diagram of compressed air or gas cross sections of the
flow in the foam generator change from the input to the output;
FIG. 23 is a diagram of pressure in the flow of gas in the foam
generator change from input to output;
FIG. 24 is a diagram of the Bernoulli effect lifting force in the
foam generator;
FIG. 25 is a diagram of the turbulent flow of compressed air
characteristics in the foam generator and a diagram of cross
sections of air flow in the foam generator;
FIG. 26 is a diagram of the turbulence level in stages of
transformation of the cross section of the air flow in the foam
generator;
FIG. 27 is a diagram of vortex channels forming in the foam
generator;
FIG. 28 is a diagram of vortex channels forming in the foam
generator;
FIG. 29 is a vortex channels and micro-bubbles formation diagram in
the plane section of the foam generator; and
FIG. 30 is a vortex channels and micro-bubbles formation diagram in
the vertical cross section of the foam generator.
DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a system 200 for removing impurities from a liquid
such as water. The system 200 includes a holding cavity 212 formed
from a housing 201 configured to hold a liquid to be purified. The
system 200 also includes one or more foam generators 204 located
inside the holding cavity 212. The foam generators 204 receive a
pressurized gas and mix the gas with the liquid in the holding
cavity 212 to form a foam. The foam formed by the foam generators
204 rises to a surface 209 of the liquid in the holding cavity 212
and forms a foam layer 211 in the top part of a housing 201.
Impurities from the liquid such as organic impurities, oil, heavy
metals, minerals, oxides and the like are suspended in the foam
layer 211. A removal cavity 210 located within the holding cavity
212 allows for removal of the foam layer 211 from the top part of
housing 201. The foam and contaminants are further removed from the
system 200 using a removal pipe 208 connected to the removal cavity
210. The foam and any contaminants and impurities from the liquid
(e.g., organic impurities, heavy metals, oxides, mineral deposits,
oil) trapped in the foam are removed via the removal cavity
210.
The holding cavity 212 is formed in an area between an internal
surface of a housing 201 and an external surface of an internal
housing 202. In some embodiments, both housing 201 and housing 202
are cylindrical in shape and the housing 202 is located concentric
to housing 201. However, other shapes of housing 201 and 202 and
locations of housing 202 are possible. A pipeline 205 inputs the
liquid into the holding cavity 212. Due to its location near the
bottom of the holding cavity 212, pipeline 205 introduces the
liquid to be processed at a location near the foam generators 204.
The system 200 also includes an overflow pipe 207 that removes
liquid that rises to a level higher than a specified level in the
holding tank 212. The overflow pipe 207 is located at a height less
than the height of an entrance into the removal cavity 210 to
prevent the liquid from flowing into the removal cavity 210.
In order to generate the foam, compressed air is supplied from a
pipe 206 to the foam generators 204 by a ring receiver 203. The
ring receiver 203 receives the compressed gas from pipe 206 and
distributes the air to the multiple foam generators 204. The foam
generators 204 generate foam by creating turbulence in a stream of
liquid and gas and mixing the liquid and gas to form microbubbles.
In general, the microbubbles have an interior portion (also
referred to as a kernel) formed of compressed air (or another gas)
and an exterior shell formed of the liquid in holding cavity 212.
Due to the air in the bubbles, the bubbles rise to the surface 209
of the liquid where they can be removed through the cavity 210 as
described above.
System 200 can be used, for example, to remove oil from water. In
such applications the oil-water mixture is submitted to the holding
cavity 212 by pipe 205. When the microbubbles are generated, the
air in the microbubbles causes the microbubbles to rise through the
liquid in the holding cavity 212. As the bubbles pass through the
liquid, the oil in the liquid adheres to the shell of the
microbubble and is trapped in a foam 211 of the microbubbles on the
surface 209 of the liquid. The oil is them removed with the foam
via the removal cavity 210.
In another example, system 200 can be used to remove organic
impurities from water. For example, system 200 can be used to
purify water for drinking or for use in a process which requires
low impurity counts such as semiconductor fabrication, industrial
processes, cleaning processes, and the like. In such examples, the
water that includes impurities is submitted to the holding cavity
212. When the microbubbles are generated, the air in the
microbubbles causes the microbubbles to rise through the liquid in
the holding cavity 212. As the bubbles pass through the liquid, the
impurities in the liquid adhere to the shell of the microbubble and
are trapped in a foam of the microbubbles on the surface 209 of the
liquid. The impurities are removed with the foam through the
removal cavity 210.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of
an exemplary foam generator 204 and FIG. 3 shows the flow of
liquids and air within the foam generator 204 of FIG. 2. During
use, the foam generator 204 is submerged in the liquid within a
housing (as shown above) and mixes the liquid with compressed gas
to form microbubbles for removing impurities from the liquid.
The foam generator 204 includes a housing 101 that receives a
stream of compressed gas and transforms a direction of the flow of
the compressed gas. The housing 101 is connected to a device 103
for input of the gas to the foam generator 204 which is connected
to a pipeline 112 allowing the input of gas into the foam generator
204 through the device 103 (as indicated by arrow 301). The housing
101 of the foam generator 204 forms a cavity 104 having a conical
shape that receives the compressed gas from the pipeline 112. A
cone 106 is located inside the cavity 104 such that gas passing
through the cavity 104 passes over the cone 106. The cone 106 has a
conical shape with a tip pointing toward the end of the cavity 104
where the compressed gas enters from the pipeline 112. The
inclusion of the cone 106 in the cavity 104 decreases the area in
which the gas can flow and increases the pressure of the gas. The
cone 106 also modifies the direction of the air flow in the foam
generator 204 (as indicated by arrow 303) and directs the
compressed air into a set of longitudinal channels 108 (as
indicated by arrow 304). The longitudinal channels 108 are
distributed in regular intervals about the base of cone 106 and
divide the stream of the compressed gas into capillary
micro-streams of compressed gas. In general, the spacing of the
longitudinal channels 108 and the number of longitudinal channels
108 can be based on the size of the foam generator 204. The
longitudinal channels 108 are connected at one end to the cavity
104 near the base of the cone 106 and at the other end to a system
of radial channels 109. The radial channels 109 are disposed at an
angle from the openings 108 such that the compressed gas passing
through the longitudinal channels 108 and into the radial channels
109 changes direction (as indicated by arrow 305). For example, the
radial channels 109 can be disposed at about a ninety degree angle
with respect to the longitudinal channels 108. The change in the
direction of the airflow increases the turbulence in the airflow
such that the gaseous working agent is dispersed at high speed,
creating a local area of low pressure.
The reflector of a hydraulic part of the generator of foam (102 in
FIG. 2) has two basic functions. The external conical surface of
the reflector distributes and allocates a volume of liquid, which
is performed in a conical funnel, and distributes and allocates a
liquid in such a manner that on the conical surface of a reflector,
the liquid flows down in a bottom of a cavity 105 and cuts off a
part of a stream of gas that moves in the channel 109.
The base of the cone 102, designated as 109, has a function of
reflecting streams of gas that move in channels 108 and turning the
specified streams in the channel formed by the bottom of the
housing 101 and the base of the cone 109 and forming a certain
thickness of the moving stream of gas therein. The distance between
a surface of the base of cone 102 and the bottom of housing 101 is
equal to the diameter of the bubbles of gas that are formed in this
channel. For example, micro-bubbles are formed in this channel.
The reflector of hydraulic part 106 has function of transforming a
stream of gas in such a manner that a zone with a laminar level is
not formed in the center of the stream. The cone 106 forces out the
gas stream to the periphery of channel 104 where the stream has a
high level of turbulence and then the stream input into regularly
dispersed channels 108, whose design eliminates aerodynamic
resistance.
Due to the high speed of movement of the stream of compressed gas
through the system of radial channels 109, when the compressed gas
exits the system of radial channels 109 a local zone of low
pressure 114 is formed at the point where the compressed gas exits
the system of radial channels 109 (as indicated by arrow 306).
Because of this low pressure, higher pressure liquid is drawn
toward conical reflector 102 and toward low pressure zone 114. The
liquid in a truncated conical cavity 105 is mixed with the air from
the system of radial channels 109 in the local zone of low pressure
114. The liquid is delivered into the local zone of low pressure
114 through the cavity 105 (as indicated by arrow 310). The cavity
105 is conical in shape with a decreasing cross-sectional area such
that the cavity 105 has a greater diameter at an entrance to the
cavity and a smaller diameter near the low pressure zone 114. The
decreasing diameter of the cavity 105 increases the turbulence in
the flow of liquid in cavity 105. A cone 102 is located inside the
cavity 105 such that liquid passing through the cavity 105 passes
over the cone 102. The cone 102 has a conical shape with the tip of
pointing toward the entrance to the cavity 105. The conical shape
of the cavity 105 and cone 102 increases turbulence in the liquid
due to the increased contact of the liquid with its surfaces.
The mixture of gas and liquid generates a pseudo-boiling volume in
the low pressure zone 114 of the foam generator 204. The liquid and
gas mixture flows away from the low pressure zone 114 and into an
area with a larger diameter. The pressure in the liquid and air
mixture increases as the pseudo-boiling volume flows away from the
low pressure zone 114 forming a foam of micro-bubbles of the liquid
that exit the foam generator 204 and rise to the surface of the
foam generator 204 (as indicated by arrow 308). As the microbubbles
are displaced from the low pressure zone 114, some of the bubbles
of gas start to burst and turn to finer bubbles. Thus, foam leaves
the area of the hydrodynamic conical reflector 102 and the liquid
from the burst bubbles goes towards the jets of the gaseous working
agent (rather than rising to a surface of the liquid in the
cavity). This recycling of some of the liquid from burst bubbles
creates additional turbulent flow and increased foam.
Exemplary Components of the Foam Generator
Various methods can be used to manufacture the foam generator 204
described herein. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F and
5A-5C, the foam generator 204 can be made from two separate
components including a housing 101 and an interface 140. The
housing 101 is sized to fit over the interface 140 to form the foam
generator 204.
In FIGS. 4C and 4D, models of reflectors in which channels for
division of a stream of gas are executed on a cylindrical surface
are shown. Such variant of performance can be more convenient for
manufacturing and can reduce the cost of a reflector.
In FIGS. 4E and 4F, the design of the combined reflector in which
hydraulic and pneumatic parts are executed is shown. Only at
installation, in the case of the generator, are the parts
assembled.
More particularly, the interface 140 includes two cone-shaped
reflectors (e.g., an aerodynamic reflector 106 and a hydrodynamic
reflector 102) connected by a shaft 132. The aerodynamic reflector
106 is located on one end of the shaft 132 and, in use, is directed
against a direction of movement of a stream of the compressed
gaseous working agent. The hydrodynamic reflector 102 is located at
the opposite end of shaft 132 and, in use, directs movements of
formed foams. The interface 140 also includes a collection channel
130 located at the base of the shaft 132 for receiving the
compressed gaseous agent. The interface also includes channels 405
that are located at the base of the conical surface of the
hydrodynamic reflector 102. The channels 405 are connected to the
channel 130 and are regularly distributed on the same plane. In
general, each channel has equal length and equal section to promote
dispersal of the compressed gaseous working agent into streams into
a ring of turbulent liquid streams in cavity 105. When the housing
101 and interface 140 are connected a surface of the housing in
combination with channels 405 form channels 109 in which the air
flows.
The housing 101 includes a central orientation hole 120 (FIG. 5A)
between an inside chamber 104 and a conical opening 105. The
central orientation hole 120 is configured to fit over the
aerodynamic reflector 106 of the interface 140 such that, when the
housing 101 and the interface 140 are connected, the aerodynamic
reflector 106 is located inside the chamber 104 of the housing 101
and the hydrodynamic reflector 102 is located inside the conical
opening 105. The housing also includes multiple apertures 108
located concentric to the central orientation hole 120. Apertures
108 unite the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic zones of the generator
and provide a channel through which the air flows.
In general, the housing 101 and interface 140 can be made of a
material capable of withstanding substantial degradation in the
liquid. Exemplary materials include stainless steel and plastic.
Forming the foam generator 204 from two separate components can
provide various advantages. For example, the individual components
may be less complicated to produce. In some embodiments, the pieces
can be die cast eliminating the need for expensive tooling
processes.
Microbubbles
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary structure of a liquid microbubble 50
generated by the foam generator 204. In general, the microbubble 50
is formed of a core of compressed gas 52 surrounded by a liquid
shell 54. The liquid shell is formed of a liquid that is included
in the system 200 to be purified. The core of compressed gas 52 has
a diameter 58 and the shell 54 of liquid has a thickness 60.
Together the core 52 and shell 54 form a bubble having a diameter
56. In order for the micro-bubble to remain stable for a length of
time prior to removal of the foam and sediments from the system
200, the shell of the liquid surrounding the compressed gas must be
thick enough to prevent the microbubble from bursting. On the other
hand, in order for the microbubble of fuel to rise to the surface
of the liquid, the core of compressed gas must be large enough to
increase the buoyancy of the bubble. In general, a ratio of the
diameter 58 of the core 52 to the thickness 60 of the shell 54 of
liquid is between about 1.5 and about 2.5 (e.g., between about 1.8
and about 2.2, between about 1.9 and about 2.1, about 2).
System for Aerodynamic Flotation
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a module which uses aerodynamic
foam generators for flotation of impurities from a liquid. The
system includes a cylindrical container 701 to contain the liquid
to be processed. Multiple aerodynamic foam generators 703 are
located in the cylindrical container 701. The aerodynamic foam
generators 703 are connected to a ring receiver 704 that holds of
the foam generators 703 and connects the foam generators 703 to a
supply of a compressed gaseous working agent, for example air. A
coaxial cylindrical container 702 is located coaxially with the
cylindrical container 701 and is used for gathering and condensing
of foam generated by the aerodynamic foam generators 703. The
cylindrical container 702 is connected to a pipe for condensate
removal 710 that removes the foam and impurities collected and
condensed within the coaxial cylindrical container 702. The pipe
for condensate removal 710 is connected to a tank 728 via an
adjusting valve 729. The foam and impurities are collected in the
tank for disposal.
The cylindrical container 701 is also connected to a system that
inputs the water or liquid for purification that includes a tank
722 for storing a liquid intended to be processed. The liquid is
moved from the tank 722 to the coaxial cylindrical container 702
through one or more sets of mechanical filtration that remove
impurities from the liquid. The tank is connected to a set of
gauges 721 including a level gauge, a pressure gauge, a temperature
gauge, a conductivity gauge, a density gauge, an acidity or
alkalinity gauges, and others gauges depending on the composition
of the liquid. A centrifugal pump 725 pumps the liquid from tank
722 through an adjusting valve 724 and channel gauge 723. The
liquid is transported by pump 725 to a first step of a mechanical
filter 726 and optionally a second step of a mechanical filter 727
that remove solid impurities from the liquid prior to submitting
the liquid to the cylindrical container 701.
The cylindrical container 701 is also connected to a system that
inputs the compressed air to the foam generators 703. The system
that inputs the compressed air includes a compressor 705. An air
filter 706 can be connected on the input side of the compressor to
filter the air prior to submission to the foam generators 703. An
adjusting valve 707, pneumatic gauge 708, and a manometer 709 are
used to adjust the pressure and amount of air input into the foam
generators 703.
The cylindrical container 701 is also connected to a system that
outputs the filtered liquid from the cylindrical container 701.
Liquid that rises above a level 711 in cylindrical container 701 is
removed through a pipe 712 connected to the cylindrical container
701 at level 711. Pipe 712 is connected to a tank 713 that collects
the processed water. A level gauge 720 monitors the level of water
in the tank 713. The tank is connected to a drainage valve 714 that
removes liquid from the tank and to a centrifugal pump 715 that
pumps the water to a location for use. The pump 715 is connected to
an adjusting valve 716 and a channel valve 717. A mechanical filter
718 filters the water from tank 713. The filter 718 is connected to
a pressure valve and the pressure relay 719.
In exemplary embodiments, during use, the liquid from working baths
of industrial process lines collects in a tank 722 and is checked
by the system of gauges 721. The process liquid is pumped by a pump
725 through valve 724, measured and controlled by a channel gauge
723 and submitted to one or more solid filtration stages 726 and
727. After solid filtration, the liquid is submitted into a ring
cavity formed in coaxial cylindrical tanks 701 and 702. In ring
cavity 701 the liquid rises up to a level 711 and liquid above the
level 711 is removed by pipe 712. In the base of ring cavity 701
multiple foam generators 703 are mounted on the ring receiver 704
and distributed, in regular intervals on a circle. The ring
receiver 704 is connected to compressor 705 by a compressed gas or
air pathway that includes the valve 707 and gauges 708, 709.
Compressed air is provided to the aerodynamic foam generators 703
and the aerodynamic foam generators 703 form a foam in the liquid.
The foam moves through the liquid in the ring cavity 701 and
separates various impurities from the liquid. Thus, the liquid
continues to be submitted to the ring cavity and continues to flow
from the cavity through pipe 712. The speed of the ascending stream
of liquid is adjusted depending on the physical and chemical
properties of the liquid. For example, the submission and removal
rate can be decreased if the liquid has a higher concentration of
impurities.
The liquid that rises to level 711 is removed from the ring cavity
701 by pipe 712 and is input into a collection tank 713. The liquid
collected in tank 713 can then be moved by pump 715, through the
valve 716 and gauge 717 to a filter 718. From the filter 718, the
liquid can be provided to additional stages of cleaning or
purification, or returned to the consumer of the processed liquid.
Thus, there is a constant control of parameters and qualities of a
liquid by means of the complete set of devices 719.
The foam, with collected impurities in the foam, rises above a top
edge of tank 702 into the tank 702. After condensation of the foam,
the foam exits through pipe 710. The removal of the condensed foam
is controlled by valve 729 and the foam is collected in tank 728,
where the condensate and its impurities are removed from the system
and can be recycled.
Foam Generator for Cleaning
Referring to FIG. 8, a system 600 that includes an
aerodynamic-hydrodynamic head 610 for washing, rinsing, and/or
cleaning applications is shown. The aerodynamic-hydrodynamic head
610 can be similar in structure to the foam generators described
above, for example foam generator 204 of FIGS. 2-3 and foam
generators on FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F.
During use, the aerodynamic-hydrodynamic head 610 is inserted into
a bath 601 in which the processing (e.g., washing, rinsing, and/or
cleaning) is carried out. The bath is filled with a liquid that is
used for cleaning Exemplary liquids include water, a water and
cleaning agent mixture, an acid, and the like. The liquid is filled
to a level 607 such that the liquid fully covers the surface 602 of
an object to be cleaned and so that the liquid fills an open region
608 of the aerodynamic-hydrodynamic head 610.
During use, air is directed from a pipe 612 into a cavity 614 that
includes a cone shaped aerodynamic reflector 604. The air is forced
over the aerodynamic reflector 604 and into a plurality of channels
616. The channels 616 are connected to multiple radially disposed
channels 618. The air changes direction as the air moves from
channels 616 and into channels 618 increasing the turbulence in the
air. The air is output from the channels 618 into a low pressure
zone 620. The liquid solution is drawn into a conical shaped
housing 606, over a hydrodynamic reflector 605, and into the low
pressure zone 620. Bubbles of foamed liquid and air are generated
in the low pressure zone 620. The movement of the liquid forces the
foam from the low pressure zone 620 and out of the conically shaped
housing 606 to form a zone 609 of intensive washing, rinsing,
and/or cleaning
Mixing of Two or More Liquids
While in the embodiments described above, a device mixes compressed
air and a liquid in a low pressure zone to form microbubbles, in
some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, two liquids can be
mixed to generate a turbulent liquid. For example, rather than
receiving a compressed gas, a device for aerodynamic foaming and
mixing of a liquid 802 can include a first hydrodynamic system
configured to receive a first liquid component and transform a
direction of movement of the first liquid component forming
high-speed streams of the first liquid component. The device can
also include a second hydrodynamic system for input, processing,
and dispersal of streams of the second liquid component directed to
specified system under influence of forces of gravitation. The
hydro-mechanical interface connects both systems, with conical
reflectors in the internal cavities of each of the specified
systems.
The system for mixing of liquids 800 includes a tank 801 with a
liquid, or a mixture of liquids. The tank includes a foam generator
802 (e.g., a foam generator similar in structure to those described
herein). System 800 also includes a second tank 803 with another
liquid or mix of liquids. A pump 805 connects the second tank 803
with the first tank 801 and transports liquid from the second tank
803 into the foam generator 802 located in the first tank 801. An
inlet filter 806 connected to an inlet of the pump 805 filters the
liquid submitted to the foam generator 802. During use, referring
to FIG. 10, the liquid from the second tank 803 is drawn into the
filter 806 by the pump 805 (arrow 901) and carried through a pipe
to the foam generator 802 (arrow 904). The liquid from tank 801 is
drawn into the foam generator 802 (arrow 903) in a region where the
liquid from tank 803 is output from the foam generator 802 such
that mixing the liquid from tank 801 with the liquid from tank 801
occurs (902). A pump 809 is connected to the tank 801 to remove the
liquids after mixing. In some embodiments, the mixing of the
liquids can be monitored by one or more sensors such as a level
sensor 808 and/or a conductivity meter 807. By monitoring
characteristics of the liquid mix in tank 801, the amount of the
second liquid from tank 806 provided by pump 805 can be modified to
generate an appropriate mixture.
Applications of the device for hydrodynamic mixing liquids can
include mixing technological solutions for manufacture of
electronic devices. The solutions can include mixed components that
are difficult to mix, for example, liquid ammonium and alkaline
etching solutions. The use of hydrodynamic mixing can be used as an
alternative to the mechanical mixing.
In some applications, the hydrodynamic mixing can be used to mix
liquids having different viscosities. In such applications, the
more viscous liquid is under pressure of gravitation, and the less
viscous liquid is entered into a zone of mixing under pressure.
In some applications, the hydrodynamic mixing can be used to mix
liquids having different conductivities. For example, the liquid
with smaller conductivity can be under pressure of gravitation and
the liquid with greater conductivity can be entered into a zone of
mixing under a high pressure. The control of a level of
conductivity of liquids over mixing can be carried out by a
contactless method.
In some applications, the hydrodynamic mixing can be for one or
more of the following types of mixing: mixing organic and inorganic
liquids, mixing various liquids on density, mixing the liquids
containing nano-composite extenders, mixing liquid components in
the food-processing industry, mixing liquids where one liquid is
aggressive, mixing liquids where one of the liquids is super pure,
mixing liquids where one of the liquids is toxic, mixing spirit and
water in the industry of alcoholic drinks, mixing components in the
industry of soft drinks, mixing two aggressive liquids, mixing two
super pure liquids, mixing two toxic liquids, step mixing more than
two liquids, step mixing more than two aggressive liquids, step
mixing more than two toxic liquids, mixing of two electrically
charged liquids for the subsequent processing and neutralization of
surfaces with static electricity, mixing of two electrically
charged liquids for deactivation of surfaces with radioactive
infection, mixing nutritious solutions for hydroponics, mixing
liquid fertilizers for watering in an agriculture, mixing liquid
dyes in large polygraphic machines such as cars, mixing water and
superficially active substances for operations washing in
technological complexes of the aviation industry, mixing water and
liquid washing-up liquids in systems technological washing in all
industries, mixing liquid technological solutions in conditions of
pure (e.g., clean) rooms in semi-conductor manufacture, mixing
liquid chemical reagents in conditions when it is necessary to
exclude their contact to air, mixing liquids with aerosols (e.g.,
sprays), mixing liquids with emulsions, mixing two aerosols, mixing
of two emulsions, mixing easily evaporating liquids, mixing liquids
with heat, mixing liquids in their dynamical directed stream,
and/or mixing liquids with different temperatures.
FIGS. 11-19 show another embodiment of a foaming device which can
be used to remove contaminants from a liquid. The device includes a
tall tank that holds a liquid to be processed. The tank can have a
height of from about 1 foot to about 10 feet. In general, the
height of the tank is selected such that the water pressure forces
the water down over a conical portion of the foaming device.
Compressed air is mixed with the liquid at the base of the conical
portion. The aerodynamic portion of the device is similar to those
disclosed herein and shown in detail in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17, 19
and 20. After the liquid is forced down due to gravity over the
cone, the air is mixed with the liquid and a foam exits the foam
generator through openings in a side of the foam generator. In
general, a set of pillars or upwardly extending portions can be
located around the conical portion and can increase the turbulence
in the liquid as the foam is generated. An example of the movement
of the liquid and foam is shown, for example, in FIGS. 12, 14, 15A
and 15B.
In FIG. 21, a model of a stream of gas in the generator of foam is
shown. Geometric parameters of components of a stream of gas and
character transformation of their geometric dependencies are shown.
The formula of equality of volumes of gas on an input in the
generator and on an output from the generator. The figure shows a
compressed air or gas flow diagram of stream transformation.
Illustrated are diameters d, D, D1, D2, and D3 and thickness h and
channel length L. Arrows indicate the movement of the flow. The
relationship equation includes:
.pi..times..times..times..times..pi..times..times..times..times..times..t-
imes..times..times..times. ##EQU00001##
where D1 and D are diameters as illustrated on FIG. 21, h and h1
are thickness as shown, is also shown.
In FIG. 22, a model of a stream of gas in the generator of foam
with an indication on an active working area that forms an
elevating effect of the generator is presented. Formulas for
definition of the area of an active working surface of the
generator S.sub.2=(S.sub.1.times.h).times.(min. 2)
S.sub.3=S.sub.1.times.h
S.sub.4=[S.sub.2+S.sub.3+(S.sub.1.times.h)].times.min(.pi.=3.1417)
where S1 is the surface of channel, S.sub.2 is the surface of feed
channel, S.sub.3 is the surface of conical ring channel, S.sub.4 is
the surface of flat open ring with lifting effect, and n is the
number of channels, are shown.
In FIG. 23, a diagram of pressure in a stream of gas that moves in
the generator of foam is shown, where D.sub.2 is the diameter as
shown, D.sub.3 is the diameter as shown, P.sub.1 is the pressure of
flow F.sub.1 at the location shown by the arrow, P.sub.2 is the
pressure of flow F.sub.1 at the location shown by the arrow,
P.sub.3 is the pressure of flow F.sub.1 at the location shown by
the arrow, P.sub.4 is the pressure of flow F.sub.1 at the location
shown by the arrow, and P.sub.5 is the pressure of flow F.sub.1 at
the location shown by the arrow.
In FIG. 24, dependencies on the basis of which the elevating effect
developed by the generator of foam is calculated are shown, and
levels of pressure in a stream of gas in various parts of the
generator are shown. A formula for the definition of elevating
effect and the elevating effect (the Bernoulli Effect) developed by
the generator of foam (LF=(P.sub.6-P.sub.4).times.S.sub.4) is
shown, where P.sub.6 is the 1 bar outside pressure and the feed
pressure is .about.8 bar.
In FIG. 25, a consecutive process of transformation of the form of
a stream gas in the generator of foam is shown, S1, S2, S3, S4, and
S5 are sectional views shown at FIG. 26. As shown, h.sub.1=0.05 mm,
d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, and D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3,
and D.sub.4 are respective diameters of the different sections
S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.4, and S.sub.5 as illustrated at
FIG. 26.
In FIG. 26, basic dependencies and formulas for a definition of a
level of turbulence in various parts of a stream of gas in the
generator of foam. The cross-sections S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3,
S.sub.4, and S.sub.5 shown at FIG. 25 are calculated to be:
.times..times..function. ##EQU00002##
.times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002.2##
.times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002.3##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002.4##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00002.5##
In FIGS. 27 and 28, processes of formation of the vortical
phenomena in the generator of foam are schematically shown, where
the arrows shown at 1001 is the formation of vortex channels.
In FIGS. 29 and 30, diagrams of distribution of a stream in the
generator of foam that forms vortical processes in volume of a
liquid are shown, where a is the foam generator housing, b is the
typical pseudo pip channel for starting the vortex trajectory, c is
the typical flow breaking pins, and d is the air pressure 8
bar.
Processing of Oil/Water Mix
In one exemplary application, the foamer device can be used to
separate water and oil. Oil recovery from petroleum processing of
tar sand oil results in various polluting factors which are formed
as a result of the use of steam to remove the oil from underground
deposits. Some applications are called de-oiling of water for water
recovery. Oil and water are also mixed together as a result of
various industrial processes that result in waste water streams.
The water can include various types of pollutants. The list below
is meant to be exemplary and does not imply that all of the
pollutants must be present in the waste water. In addition, other
pollutants might additionally be present in the waste water. In
some examples, the main polluting factors in the water used to
remove oil from the ground are particles, so-called heavy oil,
which become mixed in the water. The particles include some heavy
and viscous particles referred to as the bitumen group. Due to the
high viscosity and the developed surface of contact at these
particles, spontaneous coagulation of these particles can be
observed; the level of concentration of the specified pollution can
exceed 2-5 gram per liter. The particles also include finer
particles which are sometimes referred to as light oil. The light
oil forms a mix with water various on a level of volumetric
integration emulsions. The concentration of such particles can
reach about 5-8 grams per liter. In addition, in the water there
can be iron in various ionic forms and in the form of solid
particles. The concentration of this kind of pollution can reach
about 100 and more milligrams per liter. In the waste water there
can be also an ammonium and other ammoniac connections at
concentration within the limits of up to about 100 milligram on
liter. In addition, there can be also micro-dispersed dirt of an
inorganic origin having a concentration of approximately 50-75
milligram per liter. In water there can also be minerals, such as
strontium, bromine, iodide, barium and others at concentration 7-9
milligram on liter. The water can also include phenols at
concentrations of about 3-5 milligram per liter, and sulfur at a
concentration of about 25-35 milligram per liter. Table 1 below
shows an exemplary summary of pollutants that might be present in
the waste water and their approximate concentrations.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Parameter or material or contamination
Concentration TSS ~5-7 gram/liters TDS ~2-3 gram/liters COD
~500-550 mg/liters BOD ~120-220 mg/liter OIL ~5-7 gram/liter Fe
~50-70 mg/liter Phenol ~5-10 mg/liter Ammonium ~80-110 mg/liter
Boron ~5-8 mg/liter Bromine ~5-8 mg/liter Barium ~5-8 mg/liter
In order to dump or dispose of waste water, environmental
restrictions on the level of contaminants included in the waste can
be imposed. For example, water dumped in the water drain is often
required to meet safety and ecological cleanliness levels.
Exemplary levels of these requirements are presented in Table
2:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Parameter or material or contamination
Concentration TSS ~5-7 mg/liters TDS ~2-3 mg/liters COD ~5-8
mg/liters BOD ~10-12 mg/liter OIL ~5-7 mg/liter Fe ~50-70 mg/liter
Not limited, but to prevent chemical complexes formation, the
recommended concentration is about 5 mg/liter Phenol ~1-1.5
mg/liter Ammonium ~1-3 mg/liter Boron ~0.5 mg/liter Bromine ~0.5
mg/liter Barium ~1 mg/liter
In some applications, the requirements for the recycled water
intended for a reuse can be more stringent than the requirements
for disposal. Exemplary requirements are presented in Table 3
below.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Parameter or material or contamination
Concentration TSS ~1 mg/liters TDS ~1 mg/liters COD ~1-3 mg/liters
BOD ~1 mg/liter OIL ~0.5 mg/liter Fe ~1 mg/liter Phenol ~0.3
mg/liter Ammonium ~1 mg/liter Boron ~0.1 mg/liter Bromine ~1
mg/liter Barium ~1 mg/liter
In some embodiments, in order to process sewage (e.g., waste water
from oil processing), a first stage of processing of the sewage is
performed using aerodynamic generators (e.g., as described herein).
In the first stage, polluted water is submitted to a cylindrical
holding tank through one or more inlets regularly distributed about
near the bottom of the tank. The waste water is submitted at a
level below a set of foam generators which are included in the
tank. The foam generators are similar to the foam generators
described herein and are based, at least in part, on the
aerodynamic effect of high-speed streams of compressed air. After
submission of the polluted water into the tank, the water level
gradually increases to an overflow level. Compressed air is
provided to the foam generators at a pressure of about 8
atmospheres. The foam generators produce from the waste water foam
which rises to a top part of the tank. The foam grasps with itself
particles of all types of pollution. The foam (and the collected
pollution) is extracted through a foam collector and water is
extracted from the tank via an outlet near the top of the tank. In
general, the speed of the rising water in cylindrical capacity does
not exceed 1-2 millimeters a second. In some embodiments, the
height of the tank can be about 4 meters such that it takes
approximately 45 minutes for the water to rise from the inlet at
the bottom to the outlet at the top of the tank. It is believed
that after processing, the foaming can remove 99.99% of solid
contaminants. For example, when waste water with an initial
concentration in 7 gram per liter (that is chemically not
connected) is processed, the foaming can remove contaminants such
that 0.9-1 milligram of residual pollution remains in the water. In
cases in which the contaminants in the water are also chemically
connected pollution, the removal rate of the contaminants can be
lower, for example between 50-65%. As such, if the waste water has
a high initial concentration of these contaminants, e.g., more than
9 milligram per liter, a second stage of processing can be used to
further reduce the amount of contaminants that remain in the
water.
An exemplary second stage of processing of the sewage can include
the use of mechanical and ion-exchange filters loaded with natural
zeolite. The second stage of processing can use mechanical combined
filters in which as a filtering material is a natural ion-exchange
a material such as zeolite. The zeolite can be in a granulated form
with the size of a granule from about 0.6 to 1 millimeter. The
zeolite is placed in capsules from a synthetic fabric on the basis
of polymeric pitch. The capsules can have a volume of about 7-8
liters. The capsules with zeolite are placed in filtering modules,
each of which is a segment of a column. Water passes through
columns and undergoes an ionic exchange process at which of water
ions of metals and such materials as ammonium are extracted from
the water. Such method of cleaning can reduce the contaminants to a
level not above 1-3 milligrams per liter.
As described in the two stage process above, a modular principle
can be used for the process equipment used in the first and second
stages of processing of the specified type of sewage. For
maintenance of flexibility, decrease in expenses for service and
the maintenance of the equipment, its performance in the form of
technological advances, a modular approach allows replacement of
the equipment on a module-by-module basis.
Due to the increase of flexibility and efficiency due to the
modular nature of the equipment, the equipment and processing can
be performed locally. For example, the process equipment can be
installed directly in those points of process where there is a
pollution of water. In addition, in such points if there are only
certain polluting factors present and not others, the modular
implementation allows only the needed process equipment and
processing to be performed. This can reduce the cost of installing
and running the equipment and increase the efficiency of the
process. In such cases, absence of pollution of other type which is
distinct from pollution, inherent in the specified local site of
technological process, allows a reuse of the cleared water even if
concentration of pollution exceed the concentration resolved by the
standard for dump in the water drain.
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *